Can a bad Caliber, warped rotor, stuck or jamming slide pins cause a rumble and skipping without hitting the brakes?

Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320
  • 3.2L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 131,000 MILES
I have an intermittent rumble and slight grind and skipping feeling. It appears to come from the driver's side. I can be felt in feet. I just did my wheel bearing. I thought I messed up, when caliber and shoe are off it spins freely with no noise or grinding feeling. When it happens it almost feels like warped rotors or bad pads. But it happens without braking. It happens randomly. It also happens when hitting potholes at time. When it happened, I threw in neutral and there was no change. There is very little noise. Note: when I first took off caliber, I had to press the piston to get it back on. The caliber isn't loose, but it didn't return to old position. Also, the boot is turned up. I'm going to post a video if possible. Also, I was going 85 MPH and you can feel the rumble, but it doesn't get worse with speed just slightly more consistent.
Sunday, June 12th, 2022 AT 10:07 AM

87 Replies

Tiny
GENESIS88
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Sorry for the poor English I wrote that in haste. Can a bad caliber, warped rotor, stuck or jamming slide pins cause a rumble and skipping without hitting the brakes? It first started a few days ago when I changed my compressor for my Airmatic. It didn't do it when I jacked car up and replaced part. But it did start afterwards, I'm lost don't know what to check first. I don't know how the car is fine one second then does this after. I checked all my work, and nothing is rubbing.
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Sunday, June 12th, 2022 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
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I was so fixated on the left side of car I never checked the right. It's obvious my right-side wheel bearing is shot and most likely the cause of my issues. Do you think this can cause my issues based on everything I said? When you spin the wheel, you can hear the bearing making clicking noise followed by a skip.
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Sunday, June 12th, 2022 AT 1:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Certainly, if all that play is from the bearing, it needs to be replaced. However, did you confirm there isn't an inner tie rod issue? When you wiggled the wheel, I see the outer tie rod appears tight. When you do this, is the driver's side tire moving as well?

You asked about the brake caliper. If it is applying pressure on the brake rotor, it will cause the rotor to overheat. That can cause what you are experiencing as well. I've actually seen them slowly apply the brake until the wheel was locked. However, if the brake is the cause, you should notice excessive heat from the affected wheel. Also, you would likely smell the brake pads from being overheated.

So, if that play is the bearing, yes, replace and adjust it.

I attached the directions for the removal and replacement of the bearing below. Take a look through them and let me know if this helps and if you did the driver's side in this manner.

Take care and let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Sunday, June 12th, 2022 AT 9:29 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
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The photo is somewhat wrong. My hub has two bearings and plate, or shield is connected to the knuckle not hub. I just remembered something in the past I only had this rumble/slight grinding sensation come from front of car when hitting pothole or bump then it would go away. Sometimes it wouldn't happen for days or weeks. Over time I had a slight shake that developed and got slightly worse as time went on. It mostly happened at 60 to 65 and up. But nothing at lower speeds until a few days ago. I replaced my compressor on the left side of car for my Airmatic. I had the car jacked up for 4 hours since I had to run out. I'm thinking the pressure on the right side from being jacked up did something to an already failing bearing. I didn't have any of these current issues till that exact second. Yes, I checked everything over and nothing is rubbing, and everything is tight.
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Monday, June 13th, 2022 AT 3:17 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Did you have the air ride turned off when it was lifted? I know some models require it to be manually turned off to prevent damage. But that wouldn't happen to the wheel bearing.

Are you confident that the play in the video is from the wheel bearing?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, June 13th, 2022 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
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Mine doesn't have to be turned off. I don't know if that what's wrong, but I'm positive the wheel bearing is shot. I do know my lower ball joint and outer tie ride are worn and make a little noise. But that is when turning only. The issue I'm worry about almost feels like brake pads that are worn all the down and bad CV and a skipping bearing. That is the best example I can give after driving today. It almost always happens in straight line. It also happens when you let off gas and when you accelerate. Sometimes it will only happen once you hit above 20 MPH. It's random when it happens. It doesn't get much worse with speed till 60. The car was completely fine, I replaced the compressor then it started to it. It's just so weird. I'm not new to cars at all. I know how to work on them. I have done it a million times, I checked my work, all of it. I'm just lost on this one.
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Monday, June 13th, 2022 AT 7:54 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
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About the whole braking and start thing. I you want to play it safe they say to disconnect the SDC harness, so you don't throw a red warning. But you don't need start itself to do it. You can also disconnect the 2 batteries but if you forget to shut off lights and radio and unplug anything in cigarette lighter, make sure all doors are closed, keys is out of car and you disconnect terminals in proper order and install you will burn out the rear Sam, front Sam and other electronics. The safest route is to close doors and unplug SDC.
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 AT 5:45 AM
Tiny
GENESIS88
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Confirmed wheel bearing.
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

It certainly sounds bad. LOL Do me a favor. Once you get the bearing replaced, let me know how much play is still in the steering.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
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So, I replaced the bearing, and it is better. It still does it a little, but it sounds more like a brake issue now than anything else. Compared to how it was it's better. I have a tie rod for the right side, so I'll be doing that today as well. I still have a little in wheel. That is from that outer tie rod. The steering itself feels fine.
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 AT 9:06 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

I'm glad to hear that. Let me know if the tie rod eliminates the remainder of the play. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 AT 9:33 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
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So, I'm replacing both my hubs with bearings, races and seal prepressed. Rotors, pads and both outer tie rods. I got a really good deal through a friend for the parts. I decided to do it since my rotors do have a couple gouges and are developing a slight lip. I wasn't able to Remove 3 of the 4 races even with press. They are scuffed plus the hubs are seized in the rotor. I cannot remove it without damaging one or the other. I got all the parts for 175 so I figured I'll just get new pads tie rods and hubs, so I know everything is perfect. The parts car commonly used outside of Mercedes and specialty shops and they won't throw codes as they are matched OEM. I also bought the hub assembly since my right side seal failed. The spring in the inner seal broke and bearing ate it. I got the spring out but I'm not sure how much damage was done if any. Once I replace the tie rods, I'll let you know what happens. I have to wait for my friend to return my Dremel before I do it, just in case I have cut it off if it free spins.
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Thursday, June 16th, 2022 AT 4:39 AM
Tiny
GENESIS88
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Here is one of the old inner bearings. There is definitely wear on inside and the grease is definitely not good.
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Thursday, June 16th, 2022 AT 7:27 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

That doesn't look good. LOL As far as the future work you plan to do is concerned, let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Actually, I'm glad to hear you are replacing everything. The play that I saw in your video worried me. LOL

Also, thank you for the update. I appreciate it and look forward to hearing the outcome.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, June 16th, 2022 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
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Yeah, when it comes to breaks and or suspension components, I don't like to put it off. I had a few close calls in past that gave me a new perspective.
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Friday, June 17th, 2022 AT 7:30 AM
Tiny
GENESIS88
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I'll definitely let you know. There is a few things I might need help with.
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Friday, June 17th, 2022 AT 5:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

I appreciate it. Let me know what I can do to help.

Take care of yourself,

Joe
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Friday, June 17th, 2022 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
So, I need your help with the lock nut. I checked online and other sources of information and it's all conflicting. I don't have a tilt gauge to accurately tighten lock nut for wheel bearing. Some say to hand tighten and that's it. Other day hand tighten use wrench do a 1/4 turn and back off slightly. Some say to do a 1/2 turn and 1/4 back. What do you think I should do? I hand tighten and went around the block. I was going to turn it few mm more with wrench. What do you think my best bet is and which people you think are most accurate?
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Monday, June 20th, 2022 AT 12:49 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
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This is one reason why I decided to do the rotors and pads. Also, hubs are seized in rotors. My side pins were also dry and stuck like crazy. That explains the clunk and banging sound when letting off brakes.
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Monday, June 20th, 2022 AT 12:58 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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When I do it, I snug it, spin the rotor, and re-snug it until it is somewhat tight. At that point, I spin it again and normally feel a bit of drag on the rotor. Then I back it off until the drag is basically gone. There really isn't a specific direction for how far to back it off. You want it to the point where there is no drag and no play between the bearing and hub.

The tightening multiple times is done to make sure it is fully seated.

Let me know if that helps. And certainly, the brake rotors look bad.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, June 20th, 2022 AT 10:35 PM

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